LUMIERE is back. This November, Durham's spectacular light festival will once again transform its streets and buildings. Allan Cook, chairman of the Lumiere Development Board and a prominent Durham businessman, discusses the event's importance.

Lumiere is extraordinary. Over a breathtaking four days every two years in November, Durham is transformed into a place of such magic that visitors are drawn to it from all over the country and, indeed, the world.

My first experience of the festival was in 2009. I was introduced to Helen Marriage, director of Artichoke, which produces the festival. Her energy and enthusiasm was infectious and I instantly wanted to help make Lumiere become a reality. I realised then that this would be a major event, not just for Durham but for the region.

As a local developer and investor, I also recognised that this was a rare chance to be part of something that not only showcases our beautiful city but also puts the North-East firmly on the world map.

I’m thrilled it is back this year for a fourth time, from November 12 to 15.

I vividly remember Crown of Light at Durham Cathedral, the projection of the Lindisfarne Gospels onto the north façade of the building, and thinking how lucky we were to have Lumiere. The media attention the festival attracted was astonishing. It really put the spotlight on Durham and the North East.

Across 2011 and 2013 there were 325,000 visitors to Lumiere; amazing for a city with a population of just over 40,000. By 2013 it was unthinkable not to become a festival sponsor.

As a local business, we felt the association was of huge benefit and value and allowed us to show our support as well as provide an opportunity to entertain some of our most valued corporate partners.

Along with joint venture partners Carillion and Richardsons Capital, Arlington sponsored Volume Unit, the visual jukebox installation projected onto Millburngate House directly opposite our development at Freeman’s Reach. Audiences chose the music played while colourful graphics danced around on the building. It was my 50th birthday, so it was extra special when a surprise request was played for me. It was such a memorable moment and a great feeling knowing my company was playing its part in bringing personal joy not only to me, but to thousands of others on a dark November evening.

Durham County Council provides a lot of the funding to ensure that the festival happens. But it’s only with business sponsorship from across Durham and the North-East region that Artichoke can bring so many international artists to the city and programme work of the quality of Volume Unit, Crown of Light, or my personal favourite, Elephantastic, on Elvet Bridge in 2013.

We need local businesses to come forward for 2015 so we can continue to showcase Durham as the UK’s biggest and best light festival.

So, what now? Well, firstly, get the dates in your diaries! But also, as chairman of Lumiere’s Development Board, I’m personally appealing to North-East businesses to sponsor this year’s festival. Your support will go directly towards commissioning the light installations that make our festival such a world-class event. I’m delighted to announce Filtronic, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ramside Estates and Walkergate as our first official Lumiere 2015 sponsors. It’s fantastic they are on board, so on behalf of Lumiere can I say a big thank-you.

But we still have a way to go. So businesses please come forward, get involved and help us continue to show the world exactly what we’re capable of achieving here in Durham and the North-East.